Sturridge confident despite Suarez departure

Daniel Sturridge insists that Liverpool can prosper this season without his former strike partner Luis Suarez.

Sturridge and Suarez hit 52 Premier League goals between them last season as Liverpool finished runners-up to Manchester City.

That made them the most prolific attacking partnership at Anfield since Ian St John and Roger Hunt scored 52 league goals between them in 1963-64.

Suarez, the league's top scorer last season with 31 goals, completed a £75 million move to Barcelona on July 16. Liverpool have brought in Rickie Lambert from Southampton, but a deal to sign QPR striker Loic Remy fell through on Sunday.

Sturridge, who scored 21 league goals last season, is set to lead Liverpool's attack this coming season, but does not believe the goal burden will rest solely with him following the departure of Suarez.

"It was a unique partnership," Sturridge told the Liverpool Echo. "I wish Luis all the best. We shared some good times together.

"We created history together with our goals and I think we became the most successful Liverpool partnership together in one season.

"In terms of next season for the goals, I'll step up myself and everyone has to step up to get the goals because it is a long season.

"The new boys who have come in as well as the players who have been there all season. This is a huge club with a lot of players who can step up.

"Luis has left and that's football. He's moved on but he's doing it for himself and his family.

"As a team we will move forward, I wouldn't say I'm the main man. We are going to do our best to move forward as a squad. And do our best to be involved at the top."